Potts Watch: Kaine Agrees to Debate

Virginia State Senator Russ Potts, running for governor in the Old Dominion as an independent Republican, has reached agreement with Democratic candidate Tim Kaine to hold a debate in mid-September. The pair invited Republican Jerry Kilgore to join the debate as well, but he refused, according to the Washington Post. The Potts-Kaine debate will occur immediately following a Kaine-Kilgore debate sponsored by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce (which refuses to allow Potts to participate in its debate because of a "long-standing policy of including only the major-party candidates").

Kilgore and Potts' campaigns said they want to offer Virginians more opportunity to hear the candidates exchange their views: Kilgore has refused to debate more than three times (only two of which will be televised). Kaine's press secretary said of the planned debate "This gives Virginians a chance to hear all of the gubernatorial candidates discuss the issues side by side. Jerry Kilgore has unfortunately decided not to accept, but we would still encourage him to come and watch."

I hope that the details can be worked out and that this debate moves forward, with or without Kilgore. Russ Potts' views deserve to be heard, because Virginians deserve a choice this November.